News / National
Man (39) shoots dead woman (80) he was trying to rescue
10 Apr 2012 at 02:23hrs | Views
Rescue mission goes wrong as 39-year-old Masvingo man accidentally shoots dead an 80-year-old granny he intended to rescue from a knife-wielding thief.
Reason Chivakire (39) of Rhodene, Masvingo, allegedly killed Ambuya Tererai Marima of Vhiyayi Village under Chief Mkanganwi in Bikita.
The granny and her grandson Simbarashe Chitiga (24) had been held hostage in their car by a robber along the Masvingo-Mutare highway.
Masvingo police spokesman Inspector Tineyi Matake confirmed the incident.
He said investigations were in progress.
"We are still investigating the case, but no arrests have been made.
"We are still looking for the robber who held the now deceased and her grandson hostage in their car. He fled from the scene after the fatal shooting," said Insp Matake.
He said on the fateful day, Ambuya Marima and her grandson were travelling to Masvingo from Bikita in the latter's car along the Mutare-Masvingo highway.
On approaching Mutimurefu prison, Ambuya Marima allegedly asked her grandson to stop the vehicle so they could pray.
Simbarashe complied and they both disembarked from the vehicle.
While the pair was praying, a robber emerged from the bush and asked for a lift to Masvingo City.
After travelling for about 5 kilometres, the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and pointed it at Simbarashe's neck before demanding cash.
He allegedly stole US$4 from Simbarashe before getting another US$1 from Ambuya Marima and ordered the former to drive to the city.
Chivakire, who was driving towards Masvingo, saw that something was wrong in Simbarashe's car and asked them to stop.
At this point, the robber allegedly ordered Simbarashe to turn back and drive towards Mutimurefu Prison with a knife pointed on his throat.
Realising that the car was fleeing, Chivakire fired three warning shots, but it allegedly did not stop prompting him to fire a shot intending to deflate the tyres.
However, he allegedly shot Ambuya Marima and she died instantly.
The suspected robber allegedly fled while Simbarashe was taken to Masvingo General Hospital with minor injuries.
Reason Chivakire (39) of Rhodene, Masvingo, allegedly killed Ambuya Tererai Marima of Vhiyayi Village under Chief Mkanganwi in Bikita.
The granny and her grandson Simbarashe Chitiga (24) had been held hostage in their car by a robber along the Masvingo-Mutare highway.
Masvingo police spokesman Inspector Tineyi Matake confirmed the incident.
He said investigations were in progress.
"We are still investigating the case, but no arrests have been made.
"We are still looking for the robber who held the now deceased and her grandson hostage in their car. He fled from the scene after the fatal shooting," said Insp Matake.
He said on the fateful day, Ambuya Marima and her grandson were travelling to Masvingo from Bikita in the latter's car along the Mutare-Masvingo highway.
On approaching Mutimurefu prison, Ambuya Marima allegedly asked her grandson to stop the vehicle so they could pray.
Simbarashe complied and they both disembarked from the vehicle.
While the pair was praying, a robber emerged from the bush and asked for a lift to Masvingo City.
After travelling for about 5 kilometres, the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and pointed it at Simbarashe's neck before demanding cash.
He allegedly stole US$4 from Simbarashe before getting another US$1 from Ambuya Marima and ordered the former to drive to the city.
Chivakire, who was driving towards Masvingo, saw that something was wrong in Simbarashe's car and asked them to stop.
At this point, the robber allegedly ordered Simbarashe to turn back and drive towards Mutimurefu Prison with a knife pointed on his throat.
Realising that the car was fleeing, Chivakire fired three warning shots, but it allegedly did not stop prompting him to fire a shot intending to deflate the tyres.
However, he allegedly shot Ambuya Marima and she died instantly.
The suspected robber allegedly fled while Simbarashe was taken to Masvingo General Hospital with minor injuries.
Source - TH
